Posted on by VP Communications

January 30, 2025 Newsletter

The uniform storm will close on SATURDAY and we need your help evaluating whether a practice bus is viable. First two links under “Action Items” will get you there, so please act now!

1. UNIFORM STORE CLOSES JANUARY 31, 2025
2. *NEW* PRACTICE BUS SURVEY RESPOND BY SUNDAY, FEB 2
3. ERGSPRINTS
4. NEW ATHLETES: REQUIRED SWIM TEST ON FEB 8 OR FEB 15
5. ON-THE-WATER MEETING, WED, FEB 12, 7p IN CAFE B
6. MAVERICK ROWING, FEB 15

7. *UPDATED* LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
A. CRITICAL NEED FOR A TEAM COORDINATOR
B. BOATHOUSE WORK DAY / GREEN DAY, FEB 8
C. *NEW* VASRA WORKDAYS: 2/22, 3/01, 3/08, 3/15
D. CHUCKWAGON WORKDAY, MAR 8
E. *NEW* FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE COMING BACK!

8. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE WE GO ON-THE-WATER
9. CHIPOTLE RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER, WED, FEB 5
10. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE

WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

ACTION ITEMS

1. UNIFORM STORE CLOSES JANUARY 31, 2025
The deadline for the uniform store was extended to tomorrow, Jan 31. Find links and all the information you need to order uniforms or training items on our website: Uniform Store Info.

2. *NEW* PRACTICE BUS SURVEY RESPOND BY SUNDAY, FEB 2
By request, we are issuing a REVISED Practice Bus Survey due to potential changes in work-from-home policies that may be impacting families in our region. If we are able to get a more significant number of athletes interested in a practice bus, the cost may decrease enough to make contracting with a company viable.

EVERYONE should fill out the form, whether you intend to sign your athlete up or not. The more people that fill out this form the better the data so please spread the word.

Please fill out the form by Sunday, February 2 in order to give our team time to review the results and consider options: REVISED Practice Bus Interest Form.

If you have multiple athletes, we would appreciate you filling out the form once PER athlete so that we can get a more accurate count. Thank you so much!

3. ERGSPRINTS
Attendance is not limited to those who are competing! Feel free to go by the event and cheer on our registered athletes. The ErgSprints website is a treasure trove of information for spectators and athletes. Some links to critical information (that you should check out BEFORE you go):

ATHLETES: know that parking is almost always an issue at this event. So please build in time to arrive, park and to get oriented to the event BEFORE your scheduled check-in time.

4. NEW ATHLETES: REQUIRED SWIM TEST ON FEB 8 OR FEB 15
The next two swim tests are scheduled for February 8 and February 15. All athletes must pass a swim test once with Woodson Rowing in order to participate in on-the-water practices. If you’ve never done a swim test with us before, sign up here: Winter Swim Tests.

5. ON-THE-WATER MEETING, WED, FEB 12, 7p IN CAFE B
The Board is hosting an on-the-water meeting in the evening on Wednesday, February 12 at 7:00pm in Cafe B at Woodson. Join us to learn what to expect once the competitive regatta season starts. We will share important information for novice and returning parents alike. Athletes are welcome to attend. Board representatives and coaches will be on hand to answer questions. If you cannot attend, we will share a link to the slides following the meeting.

6. MAVERICK ROWING, FEB 15
There is still space in the Maverick Rowing event Feb 15th, so sign up now! Since we would still like to give as many people an opportunity to participate as possible, we continue to ask that you first sign up for only one of the hour-long slots. As was the case for the January 18 event, once we get closer to the date and see how many rowers are registered, we will open it up for rowers to sign up for the second hour as space permits. Cost to participate is $20 – a link will be sent for payment closer to the date. Sign Up here: Maverick Rowing Sign Up Genius

Check out photos of the Jan 18 event here: Pre-Season Photos.

7. *UPDATED* LOTS OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We highly recommend you jump into volunteering early as it makes it easier to meet your volunteer requirements for the season and gives new families the opportunity to meet returning families! The team tracks participation by assigning “credits” each time a family or athlete volunteers. Failure to meet your volunteer credits by the end of the season will result in a $200 per credit charge. If you want to learn more about volunteering with Woodson Rowing, please visit our website at: www.woodsonrowing.org/volunteering.

A. CRITICAL NEED FOR A TEAM COORDINATOR
We are looking for someone to fulfill the role of Carpool Coordinator. If the new poll indicates that a practice bus might be possible, this person would be responsible for helping to coordinate the chaperoning process for the practice bus. So no matter what – we need you now!! Generally speaking, if you are somewhat organized this is a great role for you to earn your team volunteer credits at your own pace. Please contact Maz at [email protected] if you are interested in fulfilling this role.

    B. BOATHOUSE WORK DAY / GREEN DAY, FEB 8
    We will also have a boathouse workday/green day on Saturday, February 8. Some parent volunteers are needed and athletes should sign up to help/get on the water! Athletes who want to participate in the Green Day portion of this work day should have already completed a swim test. Sign up here: Feb 8 Workday/Green Day.

      C. *NEW* VASRA WORKDAYS: 2/22, 3/01, 3/08, 3/15
      Please review the sign up genius and sign up for slots based on your availability. You should be willing to get dirty and wet – but no experience required. Don’t forget to indicate that you are representing the Woodson Rowing team. Note: Athletes are encouraged to sign up for these workdays. You will receive school volunteering credits for participating! Remember, as a team, each family should strive to complete AT LEAST one VASRA shift per season (you might find you do more because they can be really fun and informative). Get started now!

        D. CHUCKWAGON WORKDAY, MAR 8
        The Chuckwagon is an important part of uplifting the morale of the team. We will be doing a pre-season inventory and cleaning on Saturday, March 8 before we race off into the season. Sign up here: Chuckwagon Workday

          E. *NEW* FRIDAY NIGHT DINNERS ARE COMING BACK!
          The team enjoys pre-regatta dinners each Friday night during the season. This season, we will be holding all of our dinners at the Woodson high School Cafeteria. We need parents to help with picking up a meal order, setting up/serving dinner & cleaning up. This is a great time to see the camaraderie of our team grow! Sign up here: Friday Night Dinner Volunteering

          8. PLEASE REGISTER BEFORE WE GO ON-THE-WATER
          f you haven’t yet, please register now! Review the registration portion of the website to learn more. Still have questions? Reach out to our membership team at [email protected].

            9. CHIPOTLE RESTAURANT FUNDRAISER
            Chipotle restaurant fundraiser on Wednesday, Feb 5 between 4-8p!! Order your dinner online or in-person to benefit the team! Show this flyer or use the code KVTT7ZJ to order online for pick-up.


            10. CALENDAR AT-A-GLANCE
            This calendar is constantly updated as events are added. Scroll here for a quick rundown of what’s up and coming. Where relevant and/or available, links are provided for more information. You can also see a visual representation of our calendar on our website: https://woodsonrowing.org/calendar/

            Graphics of our various schedules can be found at the links below:
            Winter Conditioning (October through February)
            On-The-Water Practice (late February through May)
            2025 Regatta Schedule (March through May)

            Other important dates: 

            FEBRUARY:

            MARCH:

            APRIL

            MAY

            WAIT – THERE’S MORE?

            RECRUITMENT:

            Direct interested athletes and their parents to our interest form or have them send an email to our membership team at: [email protected].

            STAY UP TO DATE: Join the newsletter by sending an email to [email protected] or view the newsletter archives on our website.

            INTERESTED IN SPONSORING WOODSON ROWING?

            Visit our Sponsorship Page or contact Woodson Rowing Fundraising.

            Can’t sponsor but want to donate?Check out our Donors page for instructions and information on how your donations benefit our team!

            NEED SWAG?

            There are many ways for you to shop and benefit the team all while sporting your support! See our Spirit Wear Page for more info!

            VIEW AND UPLOAD PHOTOS: Visit our Woodson Rowing photos page for more information on how you can help protect our legacy with photographs!

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